The jury trial against a man accused of carrying out a serious assault got under way at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Shaun Strachan, 44, of Burnside in Lerwick, is accused of assaulting a man to his severe injury by striking him over the head with a bottle at the Scalloway Meat Company in October last year.

Mr Strachan lodged a special defence that he was acting in self defence after the jury of 10 women and five men were sworn in by Sheriff Graeme Napier.

The first witness, Detective Sergeant Lindsay Tulloch, said he was called to investigate the case on the evening of the night in question. He had seen CCTV images of the alleged victim assault Mr Strachan at the main door of the shop after he had been standing close to him in the checkout queue.

DS Tulloch agreed Mr Kay had assaulted Mr Strachan first, before Mr Strachan pulled him by the arm back into the shop and struck him twice with a bag of groceries he had just bought. The groceries contained a bottle of port, which broke after the first blow.

The court heard the parties involved appeared to have been drinking. However, questioned by defence agent Gregor Kelly, DS Tulloch said Mr Strachan appeared to be relaxed and good natured before the incident took place.